Kelly Weimert is a writer, editor, and interior design expert with 10 years of experience writing about design and home decor. She's written for interior design publications such as MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, Domino Magazine, and Hunker. When she's not writing or editing, she's probably busy obsessing over how to beautify her home.
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Whether you’re looking to fill a small space with big style or you regularly have overnight guests and want to serve them up a comfy place to sleep, a beautiful modern daybed just might be the solution you’re after. These multi-purpose furniture pieces come in a wide range of shapes, styles, and sizes, whether you’re looking for a pared-back piece to fit a minimalist aesthetic or a daybed with nailhead tufts to complement a traditional look.
Top Picks: The Best Daybeds Online
1. The Bed
Brand: Thuma Price: $995
Minimal and gorgeous, this modern daybed features a simple design and solid wood frame that makes every piece unique thanks to the distinctive knots and grains found on the repurposed wood from which it’s constructed.
The versatile piece features a twin-size mattress frame complete with double-strength slats lined with felt made from recycled plastics. Meanwhile, a pillowboard serves as a comfy alternative to a headboard, which can stand alone as a decorative accent or be topped with throw pillows for extra softness.
"The Bed is built to last a lifetime and crafted from real, upcycled wood. The combination of naturally noise-minimizing Japanese joinery and double strength slats means that you’re always supported," says Doug Shumway, Co-founder + VP of Product Development at Thuma.
This modern design daybed features a pared-back metal frame and sleek silhouette that will complement just about any look. It comes in a range of upholstery options, including performance linen, performance velvet, and pebbled leather, as well as several neutral hues.
The daybed also happens to live in one of our experts’ homes: “I have had it for a few years now and it looks just as new as the day I got it,” raves Chris Walsh. “I purchased it to use as additional seating in my large combined living room and sunroom. I always get compliments on it!”
Plush and comfy is the cozy daybed’s specialty, which features armrest and backrest cushion inserts filled with a combination of medium-density foam, shredded fill, and fiber wadding. Plus, you can easily flip the cushions up if you need more space during afternoon naps.
The modern daybed comes in four rich hues, ranging from Stone Gray to Moss Green, and you can choose from three different leg finishes to create a custom look that’s a perfect fit for your living room, sunroom, home office, and beyond.
This twin daybed offers the ultimate in versatility, allowing you to choose everything from the length, seat depth, and cushion fill to the upholstery and legs. Even better, the high-quality upholstery comes in nearly infinite colors and fabrics, so just about anyone can find the exact fit for their interior design.
The daybed’s rolled armrests combined with a minimal design and long airy legs provide just the right balance between classic and modern, ensuring that the piece will continue to look fresh for many years (and naps) to come.
Brand: 7th Avenue Price: 4-Seat Daybed from $3,600
More a pit sofa than a traditional daybed, this piece from 7th Avenue comes as a 4-seater all the way up to 12-seater (though its endlessly modular design means you could go as big as you can dream!).
The 7th Avenue sofa is a great place to kick back and relax. Plus, with its water-repellent and stain-resistant fabric, you won't have to worry about any spillages if you get just a little too relaxed. "Our 7th Avenue sectional is great for sprawling out. I’ve taken hours-long naps on it, and my husband loves to kick back on his chaise-like lounger every night," wrote Marah Eakin, who reviewed 7th Avenue's sofa for Living Cozy.
Perfect for snuggling up with a good book on a lazy weekend afternoon, the Klein Daybed is custom made to order in the USA. It features a sturdy kiln-dried alder hardwood frame, cleanable and breathable hypoallergenic fabrics and reversible and flippable detached seat and back cushions. The Klein is also available in your choice of 80+ fabrics.
Part modern daybed, part chaise lounge, this stunner from Article comes in left- and right-side configurations, making it easy to find the perfect fit. Speaking of configurations, you can adjust the piece’s backrests and cushions to create a chaise for solo lounging or a standard daybed for overnight guests and naps.
The daybed also comes in two nearly universal hues—Mist Gray and Quartz White—further adding to its versatility, along with two seat cushions and backrests, which are reversible for easy fluffing and cleaning.
This showstopping mid-century daybed frame is sure to make a statement wherever it lives. It’s made with a mix of kiln-dried solid wood and engineered wood, and offers two pretty water-based finishes to choose from.
The daybed is designed to fit a twin-size mattress (not included), which will be supported by solid wood slats for long-lasting durability. It’s also compatible with a matching mid-century trundle, which can add even more space-saving comfort for overnight guests and sleepovers.
Speaking of space-saving comfort, this upholstered daybed comes with a trundle that neatly tucks into its own built-in storage space. Featuring a tufted backrest, this timeless piece is a great addition to a classic or traditional living space.
Jessica Harris also happens to be a big fan of this beauty: “This furniture piece is the perfect combination of a bed and a sofa. The neutral upholstery on the back and arms makes it a natural addition to any room, while the mattress and trundle bed allow it to easily sleep two people.
This twin-size daybed frame will add equal parts style and comfort to your little one’s life. It’s made with a mix of solid poplar and engineered wood, as well as equally-spaced wood slats, which provide balanced support.
The ornate daybed frame comes in two colors—Black and White—so it’s tough to find a space it wouldn’t look amazing in, whether you use it for storytime in the living room or nap time in the playroom.
Combining affordability with timeless style, this modern daybed rocks a mid-century flair and features 100% linen upholstery that comes in two shades of gray, depending on if you want something lighter or darker.
The daybed frame fits a twin-size mattress, which isn’t included. And its made from a mix of solid wood and engineered wood using dovetail joinery that will help this piece support many naps, sleepovers, and overnight guests to come.
Beachy, breezy, and all sorts of gorgeous, this rattan daybed fits most twin-size mattresses, but you can also purchase a matching mattress, along with bolsters in a variety of colors and patterns to elevate its look even further.
“The rattan daybed from Serena & Lily has gorgeous lines,” says Hope Austin. “It is at a higher price point because the timeless style and quality of craftsmanship mean this bed will always have a place in the home.”
Daybeds are dual-purpose furniture pieces that can serve as sofas or beds, depending on your needs of the moment. They often fit twin-size mattresses or dimensions, so they can be squeezed even into small spaces. According to Doug Shumway, “A daybed is a perfect hybrid piece, adding versatility and comfort to any room. We’ve found that our customers love using daybeds for spare bedrooms, home offices, and smaller, difficult-to-design living spaces.”
Credit: Hope Austin Interiors
Daybeds also come in many different styles and functionalities. For instance, “Some daybeds come with trundles that pull out to reveal another bed or storage space,” says Hope Austin. So it’s helpful to consider your lifestyle, living space, and functionality needs to find the perfect piece for your household.
What to Consider When Buying a Daybed
Build Quality
Quality is an important consideration in any furniture purchase, and daybeds are no exception. In fact, given that daybeds often work double-duty as sofas and beds, quality becomes even more important since they often get a lot of use.
But what constitutes quality, exactly? According to Soug Shumway, “When looking for a daybed, you should look for a piece that’s designed to be both supportive and strong.” In other words, set your sights on daybeds with a durable support system, like solid wood slats, as well as a strong wood or steel frame that can endure many days and nights of use.
How You’ll Use It
Before investing in a daybed, it’s helpful to consider what you’ll use it for. For example, if you often have overnight guests and it’ll frequently be used as a guest bed, then comfort and sleeping space should be at the top of your priority list.
According to Jessica Harris, “If the piece will be slept on as a bed every night, then you’ll want to search for one with a mattress or one that’s compatible with a mattress. This allows you to change the sheets regularly so keeping it clean will be a breeze!”
If it’s going to be slept on regularly then maybe a sleeper sofa is a better choice.
On the flipside, if your new daybed will function more as a decorative accent, then perhaps weekly cleaning ease and finding the most comfy daybed in the world aren’t at the top of your priority list. Or maybe you want to elevate an outdoor living area, in which case you’ll want an outdoor daybed designed to withstand the elements that Mother Nature throws its way.
It’s also helpful to consider whether you want any space-saving capabilities in a daybed, such as storage drawers or another storage space, which can help hide throw pillows, blankets, and other items out of sight until needed. However, “If you don’t need another mattress or storage in a trundle,” says Hope Austin, “then the bottom can be left open or skirted which makes it look more like a piece of furniture than a bed.”
Placement
Lastly, consider where you’ll place the daybed in your living space or guest bedroom. Some rooms have unusual dimensions that can make certain daybeds a tricky fit, so it’s always best to take thorough measurements. You can also place painter’s tape along the floor that matches the dimensions of a prospective daybed to get a visual for how it will look in your space.
Additionally, “Consider how it complements the other architectural elements and finishes in the room,” advises Hope Austin. For instance, if you plan to place the daybed right next to a traditional fireplace or molding, then perhaps you want a similarly traditional daybed to match.
Where to Use a Daybed
The beauty of daybeds is in their versatility. Since they’re relatively small and can serve as both seating and sleeping areas, they work in just about any space. According to Reya Duenas, “They're great for kid rooms, guest rooms, home offices, and sunrooms.” They also work well in primary bedrooms and living rooms.
Daybeds can also offer space-saving capabilities for cozy living spaces and other small spaces. “A living room daybed is ideal when you’re short on space and want a room to serve as both a den and a guest room.” says Jessica Harris. “The daybed can serve as a sofa during the day and easily transform into a bed for your guests at night.”
Credit: Hope Austin Interiors
The flexibility of daybeds also makes them ideal for the many transitions that children go through from birth to adolescence to new siblings and beyond. “We like to use modern daybeds in spaces that benefit from added flexibility. In nurseries, they provide a wonderful transition from crib to bed or as a place for tired parents to sleep when they need to stay in the room with their newborn. It’s also a nice option if you have a child sharing a room with a baby,” says Hope Austin.
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Daybed FAQs
What's the difference between a twin bed and daybed?
Twin beds are specifically designed for sleeping and sleeping only. Daybeds are designed to work as sofas during the day and beds at night, so they often have armrests and backrests in addition to a mattress, and they might look more like a chaise lounge, futon, or sofa than a traditional bed.
Is a daybed suitable for everyday use?
Yes, daybeds can absolutely be suitable for everyday use. However, some are more comfortable than others, so if you plan to sleep on the daybed every night, it usually pays to invest in one with a comfortable mattress rather than couch cushions. You’ll also want to make sure your daybed is strong and durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.
Can you put a regular mattress on a daybed?
It depends on the daybed. Sometimes, daybeds have a design that’s closer to a couch, with seat cushions or pads in lieu of a mattress. However, many daybeds come with frames designed to fit standard mattresses, so make sure any prospective daybed is designed with standard mattress dimensions in mind if that’s what you’re after.
Can you use regular bedding on a daybed?
This also depends on the daybed. Daybeds that fit a standard twin- or full-size mattress can almost always be used with regular bedding. However, some daybeds’ designs and dimensions don’t fit standard bedding, so it all comes down to the specific daybed you invest in.
What size mattress is needed for a daybed?
Most daybeds are designed to fit twin-size mattresses, but you can also find daybeds made to fit full-size mattresses. However, some daybeds feature custom dimensions that don’t fit standard mattress sizes at all, so when in doubt, check the dimensions and mattress fit of each prospective daybed.
Do you use a box spring on a daybed?
Box springs aren’t typically needed for daybeds. Daybeds usually feature a mattress on top of a wood or metal frame in lieu of a box spring. However, some daybeds can fit a box spring for added comfort if you don’t find the daybed comfortable enough as is, but that’s dependent on the type of daybed you invest in.
Meet the experts
To create this guide we spoke with a range of interior design and furniture experts including:
Doug Shumway, Co-founder + VP of Product Development, Thuma
Kelly Weimert is a writer, editor, and interior design expert with 10 years of experience writing about design and home decor. She's written for interior design publications such as MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, Domino Magazine, and Hunker. When she's not writing or editing, she's probably busy obsessing over how to beautify her home.
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